Diane Francis on Canadian Politics

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Canadian Politics: Tory Triumph!!

What's most important about the Tories taking control of the federal government is that the public at large will be able to realize the Liberal scare tactics (i.e. Harper's a fascist, Bush lapdog who will gut our welfare state) for what they are. Decades of destructive lies that have robbed Canada of proper policy debates and choices.

The Tories should avoid any controversial platforms which may result in another election and simply show that they can govern properly. This means attendance at important international events such as the G8 in June and elsewhere so that Canadians can see that Harper can deport himself with dignity and prime ministerially.

The Tories must understand that they have to overcome and put to the lie these decades of Liberal propaganda, that the Grits are the only governing party. So they must stay away from divisive votes. My guess is that the only winning platform for the Tories to pursue is the proposed reduction of the GST and the only way that Harper will get Bloc support, which he will need, is to agree to a compromise.

Bloc leader Gilles Ducette suggested in 2004 that the entire GST be assigned to the provinces, which is something that I don't disagree with. It will force the federal system to shrink, give required funds to the provinces for health, education and welfare (which is their constitutional responsibility, not the federal government's) and make Canadians realize that the federal government is bigger than need be.

If they distinguish themselves over the next two years -- and gain credit for what should be a booming economy -- they can convince Canadians there are choices at the ballot box. And, more importantly, their success in steering carefully while in office will create chaos in the Liberal party where the knives will be drawn for Mr. Martin.

The Grits are also hugely in debt now which makes a new leader more nervous about challenging Martin. And Martin as a leader will continue to prove to be an unmitigated disaster.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Canadian Politics: Canada's Election and Checks and Balances

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

That's the lesson that Canadian should learn from the 2006 federal election. Throw out the corrupt Liberals, but demand that the Conservatives put in place the checks and balances in the Canadian parliamentary system that are missing.

These include only a few simple measures, none of which require an amendment to the constitution.

Here's what needed:

1. Place the Treasury Board outside of cabinet and give it sweeping powers to inspect, expose and rollback excessive spending when necessary. The Treasury Board was an independent watchdog until Mackenzie King made it a cabinet position answerable to the prime minister. Watchdog became lapdog.

2. Remove the Privy Council Office from the Prime Minister's Office. This was another measure by Mackenzie King, which enhanced a Liberal dictatorship, which defanged the Governor General who was left by the British in charge of making patronage and other appointments. This measure, putting the PCO into the PMO, seeded several generations of Liberal-leaners on the bench and civil service.

An independent Privy Council Office with appointments made at the pleasure of a committee of Parliament, proportionate to party representation, would clean up Canada within a few years.

3. Remove non-confidence motions except for fiscal votes. That would free up backbenchers to vote as their constituents wish. Parties should use whips sparingly, not constantly as is the case in Canada. In Australia and Britain, Whips are on around 20% of the time. In Canada, the Liberals use Whips all the time.

About Me

Next book March 2008: "Who Owns Canada?" to be published by Harper Collins. It is about Canada's 75 billionaires, half of whom have never been interviewed before and the transformation of the Canadian economy.